Bria is quite enjoying being back on the farm where she can run around a bit more. She was a wonderful supervisor as I washed the car. We went for a "run" around the hay field this afternoon. That was quite enjoyable.
Now after hearing not to stroke or pull puppy ears too much (cartilage is very soft), I came out this morning to find Bree's left ear kinda floppy. I am sad. I think it was from spending so much time sleeping in her crate. Her ear got mashed. It's not too bad. Her ears still stick up straight when she is very intent on something, but when she relaxes them, the top half of her left ear flops a bit. Oh well. Not a whole lot I can do about it other than try not to make it any worse.
Bria
Friday, August 20, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Traveling with the Dog
To a dog, motoring isn't just a way of getting from here to there, it's also a thrill and an adventure. The mere jingle of car keys is enough to send most any dog into a whimpering, tail-wagging frenzy. ~Jon Winokur
I guess my dog isn't most any dog. Sure enough, she's interested when you have jingling car keys and going towards a car, but once she's in there, she just conks out! I'm not complaining, of course. This little feature on the 2010 Border Collie is definitely worth the extra money.
I am simply amazed by this little dog. She settles down right away in her kennel and hardly makes a peep. She doesn't get sick or make a mess. And Little Miss got to ride in style in the passenger's seat of my '92 Chevy Silverado today. Lucky dog. =D
Little Miss logged about 8 hours in the car in the past three days. 3+ hours to the coast on Tuesday. Out and about with me helping a friend pick up hay for her horse. And another 3+ hours on the ride back to the farm. Bria did spectacularly. I'm so proud of her. She is exactly what I've always wanted in a dog of my own. Basically...constant companion.
Bree got to be an indoor dog for a few days, too. With cats! The big male cat wasn't fond of her, but the two females didn't seem to be bothered by the pup at all. Her first night as an indoor dog, I ended up watching some movies, and Bree asked to be on my lap. So I had a lap dog for several hours. She just lounged across my lap like it was old hat. And yes, I know letting her sit on my lap now is a very bad idea once she gets older. But it was one night, and I enjoyed it.
She got to meet my friend's dog. Tex is a big ol' Husky/German Shepherd mutt dog (adorable!). He was very nice and patient with Miss Bria. Only gave a warning growl a time or two when she got overly excited, but over all, it was a good experience for her.
Little Miss did run into her first fleas yesterday. Goodness sakes. The dog was nuts! She'd gone crackerdog! ...to quote Mrs. Pomfrey with Trick-Woo from the James Herriot books. I walked her up and down the driveway for ages, and she didn't settle down at all. Ended up going to Walmart at 1am to buy her a flea collar. I think that is helping some.
So we're finally back on the farm, and Grandma and I were unloading some things from the truck. Grandma remarked that Bria has seemed to learn to stick around pretty well. Pup was off-leash while we carried things inside. Bree just chilled in the shade of the pickup. Even when some dogs barked across the way and a horse across the road startled her and she wuff-wuffed, she didn't go anywhere. She sticks to me pretty well. I'm quite pleased with it, even though she doesn't really know Come yet. If you walk off and call her name, she'll come a-runnin'...or at least she does when I do it! Haha. Good pup.
In any case, that pretty much brings us up to date with the goings-on. Perhaps I will have some pictures or video of the Little Miss tomorrow.
I guess my dog isn't most any dog. Sure enough, she's interested when you have jingling car keys and going towards a car, but once she's in there, she just conks out! I'm not complaining, of course. This little feature on the 2010 Border Collie is definitely worth the extra money.
I am simply amazed by this little dog. She settles down right away in her kennel and hardly makes a peep. She doesn't get sick or make a mess. And Little Miss got to ride in style in the passenger's seat of my '92 Chevy Silverado today. Lucky dog. =D
Little Miss logged about 8 hours in the car in the past three days. 3+ hours to the coast on Tuesday. Out and about with me helping a friend pick up hay for her horse. And another 3+ hours on the ride back to the farm. Bria did spectacularly. I'm so proud of her. She is exactly what I've always wanted in a dog of my own. Basically...constant companion.
Bree got to be an indoor dog for a few days, too. With cats! The big male cat wasn't fond of her, but the two females didn't seem to be bothered by the pup at all. Her first night as an indoor dog, I ended up watching some movies, and Bree asked to be on my lap. So I had a lap dog for several hours. She just lounged across my lap like it was old hat. And yes, I know letting her sit on my lap now is a very bad idea once she gets older. But it was one night, and I enjoyed it.
She got to meet my friend's dog. Tex is a big ol' Husky/German Shepherd mutt dog (adorable!). He was very nice and patient with Miss Bria. Only gave a warning growl a time or two when she got overly excited, but over all, it was a good experience for her.
Little Miss did run into her first fleas yesterday. Goodness sakes. The dog was nuts! She'd gone crackerdog! ...to quote Mrs. Pomfrey with Trick-Woo from the James Herriot books. I walked her up and down the driveway for ages, and she didn't settle down at all. Ended up going to Walmart at 1am to buy her a flea collar. I think that is helping some.
So we're finally back on the farm, and Grandma and I were unloading some things from the truck. Grandma remarked that Bria has seemed to learn to stick around pretty well. Pup was off-leash while we carried things inside. Bree just chilled in the shade of the pickup. Even when some dogs barked across the way and a horse across the road startled her and she wuff-wuffed, she didn't go anywhere. She sticks to me pretty well. I'm quite pleased with it, even though she doesn't really know Come yet. If you walk off and call her name, she'll come a-runnin'...or at least she does when I do it! Haha. Good pup.
In any case, that pretty much brings us up to date with the goings-on. Perhaps I will have some pictures or video of the Little Miss tomorrow.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Monday Monday
Not a whole lot happened today, but I thought I'd post about it anyway. Little Miss was a lot better about biting today. Still did it a little (including my ear twice today!), but I am getting better at reacting to it, and she is learning.
She is such a good dog. Quiet and patient and simply adorable.
Today was the day we actually did it. Bree got to go for a horse ride. It was only probably 10 minutes max, but she did spectacular! She just laid down over the horse's withers (I rode bareback) and was very quiet and patient. Then we ran into the kid down the road with his stupid motorized bicycle. Dundee was mostly fine, the dog was mostly fine, but I didn't want to risk it, so we turned around, and Bree went to her pen for a bit while I went back out for my ride. I'm so proud of both my horse and my dog. They were wonderful this evening!
She is such a good dog. Quiet and patient and simply adorable.
Today was the day we actually did it. Bree got to go for a horse ride. It was only probably 10 minutes max, but she did spectacular! She just laid down over the horse's withers (I rode bareback) and was very quiet and patient. Then we ran into the kid down the road with his stupid motorized bicycle. Dundee was mostly fine, the dog was mostly fine, but I didn't want to risk it, so we turned around, and Bree went to her pen for a bit while I went back out for my ride. I'm so proud of both my horse and my dog. They were wonderful this evening!
The Art of Lounging #3 by Bria
I have discovered a new way to lounge. A lap built of two! Simply coax your person to sit close to another person. Lounge first on your person's lap, then, when she is not paying attention, crawl one paw at a time across to span both laps! Spectacular lounging for those hot days when you need a little extra breeze.
Happy lounging!
♥ Bria
Happy lounging!
♥ Bria
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Spoiled Rotten
My dog is going to be spoiled rotten soon. Since she is chewing like crazy, I went to get her some rawhide twists. Did you know some have artificial chicken flavor and coloring? EW!
In any case, I picked up some rawhide twists. And a 94¢ rope bone (it's purple! and perfect for playing tug...she loves it).
I went to find my grandmother, and I ran into her while she was looking at dish soaps. She didn't find the one she wanted, so I suggested Ajax, which I have used before. Well, there was a guy crouched down about to grab some soap. He looked up and said that he worked at a butcher shop and they use Ajax. Cuts grease really well. My ears perked up at that. I've been meaning to find a butcher shop to get some bones for the pup. I pipe up and ask. Yep, they give away dog bones. No payment, just "bring an ice cream bar some time". He also mentioned they had some coming out of the smoker tonight. So I ended up running over to their place this evening to pick up a sack of smoked dog bones! She's having a nice bone for supper.
Bria is a spoiled rotten puppy. She got a new toy, some things to chew, smoked beef bones, and Mom even brought her some dog biscuits. Lucky duck!
On a note about the biting. I came home from church and went to see her while I was still in nice clothes. She was all jumpy and bitey, so I just got up a left. Didn't want to have my dress bit or get dirt all over myself. Came out a while later, and she wasn't biting at all! She still does some and did with Mom when she played with the dog, but overall, it seems like it may be out the door already. Makes me happy.
Little Miss is such a good pup. She's so smart and sweet. I just love her. =)
In any case, I picked up some rawhide twists. And a 94¢ rope bone (it's purple! and perfect for playing tug...she loves it).
I went to find my grandmother, and I ran into her while she was looking at dish soaps. She didn't find the one she wanted, so I suggested Ajax, which I have used before. Well, there was a guy crouched down about to grab some soap. He looked up and said that he worked at a butcher shop and they use Ajax. Cuts grease really well. My ears perked up at that. I've been meaning to find a butcher shop to get some bones for the pup. I pipe up and ask. Yep, they give away dog bones. No payment, just "bring an ice cream bar some time". He also mentioned they had some coming out of the smoker tonight. So I ended up running over to their place this evening to pick up a sack of smoked dog bones! She's having a nice bone for supper.
Bria is a spoiled rotten puppy. She got a new toy, some things to chew, smoked beef bones, and Mom even brought her some dog biscuits. Lucky duck!
On a note about the biting. I came home from church and went to see her while I was still in nice clothes. She was all jumpy and bitey, so I just got up a left. Didn't want to have my dress bit or get dirt all over myself. Came out a while later, and she wasn't biting at all! She still does some and did with Mom when she played with the dog, but overall, it seems like it may be out the door already. Makes me happy.
Little Miss is such a good pup. She's so smart and sweet. I just love her. =)
Saturday, August 14, 2010
The Joy of Puppies
Little Miss (as I have started randomly calling her) did the sweetest thing this morning. I was a bit late getting out to feed the animals this morning, and she was, of course, sooo excited to be out and see me. Well, I played with her for a few minutes.
She went bouncy bouncy plop...right into my lap. She did some wiggling and some nipping (man, I am tired of saying "ow"), and then settled down. Didn't squirm, just laid there on her back in my lap and let me cuddle her. I thought it was very sweet. She's never offered to do anything like that before and frankly just wiggles to get away when I tried to do it before. I hope she does it again. I liked it.
Bree went out to play in the mud of the horse paddock today. She got quite dirty! Didn't get very good pictures, but I'll post a few.
She went bouncy bouncy plop...right into my lap. She did some wiggling and some nipping (man, I am tired of saying "ow"), and then settled down. Didn't squirm, just laid there on her back in my lap and let me cuddle her. I thought it was very sweet. She's never offered to do anything like that before and frankly just wiggles to get away when I tried to do it before. I hope she does it again. I liked it.
Bree went out to play in the mud of the horse paddock today. She got quite dirty! Didn't get very good pictures, but I'll post a few.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Sweet, Sweet Puppy Breath
9:45am
So I've heard that puppy breath is the best thing on Earth. Well, I've tried sniffing Miss Bria's breath. It smells like puppy kibble. With a touch of horse manure. And just a hint of the lovely aroma of decomposing mouse corpse.
Yes, that's right. Dead mouse number 3...or maybe 2...she could have found the same one twice. Well, this time, she led me a merry chase around the side of the house. I would swear she was saying, "Neener neener, I gots da mousie!" Once I finally caught up to her, I ordered her to Give.
Well.
Not today! It's MY mousie! I'm gonna EAT IT! *crunch*
At which point I shuddered and walked away. Ew.
Needless to say, I am at the end of my daily allotted rope...and it's not even 10am.
11:45am
After my time out, I went back out to play with the pup. She's doing well with Sit and Down. I noticed her go after things in close proximity, she crawls on her belly, so I am taking advantage of that and teaching her "Army Crawl". It's pretty cute.
I also need to invest in a Tug rope or toy. Rags don't quite do it anymore, and I don't want to play Tug with her racoon! I don't want it to get all ripped up!
3:45pm
After the rocky start to the day, things have improved. I've broken through on two new tricks. Army Crawl and Shake! I'm so excited for her to figure out shake. I ended up having to hold a fist with a treat in front of her nose to make her put her paw on my hand. HUGE breakthrough. I have figured out that I just need to watch what she's doing and how I cause her to do it, and it's simple to teach her things.
So I've heard that puppy breath is the best thing on Earth. Well, I've tried sniffing Miss Bria's breath. It smells like puppy kibble. With a touch of horse manure. And just a hint of the lovely aroma of decomposing mouse corpse.
Yes, that's right. Dead mouse number 3...or maybe 2...she could have found the same one twice. Well, this time, she led me a merry chase around the side of the house. I would swear she was saying, "Neener neener, I gots da mousie!" Once I finally caught up to her, I ordered her to Give.
Well.
Not today! It's MY mousie! I'm gonna EAT IT! *crunch*
At which point I shuddered and walked away. Ew.
Needless to say, I am at the end of my daily allotted rope...and it's not even 10am.
11:45am
After my time out, I went back out to play with the pup. She's doing well with Sit and Down. I noticed her go after things in close proximity, she crawls on her belly, so I am taking advantage of that and teaching her "Army Crawl". It's pretty cute.
I also need to invest in a Tug rope or toy. Rags don't quite do it anymore, and I don't want to play Tug with her racoon! I don't want it to get all ripped up!
3:45pm
After the rocky start to the day, things have improved. I've broken through on two new tricks. Army Crawl and Shake! I'm so excited for her to figure out shake. I ended up having to hold a fist with a treat in front of her nose to make her put her paw on my hand. HUGE breakthrough. I have figured out that I just need to watch what she's doing and how I cause her to do it, and it's simple to teach her things.
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